Tarp for 22 Ft Cruiser

KFoote · Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2023 12:34 pm Post subject: Tarp for 22 Ft Cruiser

I am exploring getting a good tarp to cover my C-Dory when it is stored outside.

Are there any suggestions on who I could contact.

I live in Washington State.

colbysmith · Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2023 1:20 pm Post subject:

Keith, I have a full cover for my 25 that I want to sale. It's a little worn, and I bought it from another C-Brat a couple years ago to use temporarily until I could get a new one ordered, and then dumped a good sum into it to have it altered to fit my boat better. I primarily use my cover for winter storage, so have already put in an order for a new cover to be made in April. The new cover is going to run me around $2700. I have about $1100 into this older one. I am keeping the three poles that hold it up along with the rubber cord tie downs. However one could buy or make their own posts, and use rope or bungy cords through the tie down loops. There are photos of it here: http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t=31344&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=&sid=9c467f82964ababec4451caddd261278

I think this could be altered to fit a 22 better, or just draped over it as is. I plan to take it with me to Florida next month, and if no one is interested there, I'll bring it out west with me in May. I would like to get something respectable for it ($500???), but if it's something you are interested in, make me an offer. If I have it with me when I come out west, I don't really want to bring it home, but with the cost of material, I'd rather cut it up and use for some other projects as opposed to just giving it away. Colby

thataway · Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2023 2:39 pm Post subject:

Angola Canvas is where most of us get the 22 covers. They have the patterns, and will make specific alterations for the Radar arch, etc--re-inforcements. Caution, there have been a couple of reports of not as good quality as in the past?? I advise to get 6" added to each side--that gets the cover well below the colored stripe. I have gotten Sunbrella, but there are other fabrics. Also ask for Tenera thread--UV resistance and lasts longer, but costs more.

Angola Canvas

Schuster · Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2023 4:27 pm Post subject: winter sstorage cover

Keith, you may consider just getting a portable garage from Costco for around $300.

Schuster · Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2023 4:38 pm Post subject:

Update... They are $389. for a 10' x 20' all enclosed.

ssobol · Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2023 6:34 pm Post subject:

chipwagon · Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2023 8:32 pm Post subject:

Also have to mention the lower priced option that doesn't have a contoured fit to a C-Dory but has served me well for 7 seasons now and holding up very well so far.
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00KG13M4E

pcg · Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2023 9:08 pm Post subject:

Here's a picture of my trailer covered in a McDonalds billboard ad. I paid $75 for the re-purposed 14'x48' vinyl tarp from http://billboardvinyl.com/
The vinyl is heavier and much more durable than those cheap Home Depot tarps. I've only had it on for eight months, but its held up well through several snow and ice storms and lots of sun.

KFoote · Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2023 9:59 pm Post subject: Tarp of 22 ft C-Dory

Thank you Colby, Dave, Bob, Blair, Ssobol and Paul for your input.

The reason I am looking for a cover is that I am selling my dirt house in Washington to begin the Great Loop the end of May early June. Leaving out of Rhode Island.

To tow Foote Loose from the West Coast to the East coast I am thinking it would be good to have it covered. I looked into shrink wrapping and am not real thrilled with the idea of having to dispose of the shrink wrap once I was in Massachusetts (that's where I will be living with my son).

Dave thanks for your thoughts with the portable garage. Right now Foote Loose has a nice 50' X 11' X 12' steel home. See link
http://www.c-brats.com/albums/FootesRest/C_Dory_Shelter.thumb.jpg

Colby, your offer looks real good although you live in Madison WI. Shipping could be real expensive. So, I think I will pass on your offer.

Bob and Ssobol thank you for suggesting Angola Canvas. Right now with only needing t to transport to the East coast, I do not want to invest that amount of funds for a covering only to be stored somewhere for a year or so.

Paul, your idea about the billboard vinyl is interesting. I will be storing the trailer while I am on the Loop so I will look into the website.

Blair, I think I will act on your suggestion with the Amazon boat cover. Judging by all the tie downs they show holding the tarp down looks like the cover would stay on for the 3,000 + mile trip. At first one of my thoughts was that shrink wrapping could improve my MPG while towing. The cost of shrink wrapping and disposal of the shrink wrap would probably cancel out any savings on fuel cost.

chipwagon · Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2023 10:40 pm Post subject:

I don't know if I would recommend using that Budge cover while towing--I've certainly never done that. It stays on nicely sitting still in my driveway during a wind storm, but it is not tight fitting and not sure what the results would be on a long road trip.

thataway · Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2023 11:33 pm Post subject:

I have towed both 22's and 25[s coast to coast several times (probably Colby, Jay, Jody, Jim, and a host of others) has done more than that. John has towed his Tom Cat many thousands of miles. We have also up to Prince Rupert from S. Calif. Have covered the boat windshield on most of the boats--cardboard, Sunbrella Covers etc. Also put a. heavy coat of wax on the hull, and no issues with the towing. I take all canvas off the boat (Including the Bimini) after a bad experience even with the boot on the rolled up Bimini.

I feel that there are more problems with covering the boat, and leaving it uncovered. Plus, many of us live in the boat on the trailer, on the day. Stops have included Cracker Barrel parking lots, Walmart parking lots, many RV parks, (call it a boater home) and a few rest stops. We used to be able to just pull off the road, especially up in the Northern routes....that seems lo be a less viable option now days. I feel that you are better off without a cover.

KFoote · Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2023 9:33 am Post subject: Tarp for 22 Ft Cruiser

Thank you Bob.

I'll take your advice.

Keith

Schuster · Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2023 10:14 am Post subject: boat cover

Keith, now that i know what the cover is for I would agree with Bob. I hauled a 21' Pompano from Ramrod Key, Florida to Port Orchard, WA and the only prep I did was to tape thick cardboard on the windows, around the radar (for bug protection) and taped sheets of carboard around the bow area to prevent any rock chips. It worked as intended. I wouldn't want to try to keep canvas tied down for a 3000 mile trip. Good luck and safe travels.

colbysmith · Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2023 12:34 pm Post subject:

Keith I completely agree with what Bob said. I tow my boat approximately 10,000 miles a year. One of those trips includes my annual trip down to Hontoon State Park in Florida for the gathering. Then I've also towed once or twice a year out west, and all kinds of towing between home and Lake's Superior and Michigan. Several years ago I towed to Prince Rupert to cruise the Inside Passage. The cover I had custom made for my 22, and the one I'm now having made for my 25 are made out of 11 oz Top Gun material. Same stuff some of the semi's use on their trailers. The cover is made to fit my boat like a glove and is strong enough to not only hold up to the Midwest winter snow and cold, but I can tow with it if I want. I have only towed my 22 once with that cover on. And that was because I was going through snow on the way home from Florida one year, and would be putting the boat back in storage for another month or two before our summer set in. (I didn't want to have to cover and store it with snow in the cockpit...) One thing I found then was that the cover actually decreased my mileage. As Bob said, I too "boaterhome" which means I use the boat like a camper while traveling. That would not be as easily possible with the cover I had on my 22, as there was no zipper door in it, as what I'm now having put in my covers. Also, unless your cover fits tight, the flapping in the wind, if it don't destroy the cover, will scuff up your boat. As for the windshield protection, I never had anything until two years ago when I finally made something for my 25. Never had a problem, other than road grime and bugs. Anyway, my 2 cents worth. Colby

ssobol · Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2023 2:32 pm Post subject:

To cover your boat for towing you'll want well applied shrink wrap if you are going to cover it. Most covers available are not designed for being on the boat at highway speeds. My Angola cover certainly is not. I don't even tow the boat across town with it on.

I tow my boat uncovered. The tow vehicle can provide a buffer for road debris. Towing through a rain storm, on dirt roads, or in other sloppy weather may get the boat dirty, but a car wash solves that problem.

THe PO of my boat used a cut to size pool cover on the boat. This worked well for about 10 years until the UV broke it down. A replacement pool cover would have been cheaper than the Sunbrella cover I have now. The biggest problem with the pool cover was that it was quite heavy and not very flexible in cold weather.